Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 3:18

18 (For many walk , of whom I have told you often , and now tell you even weeping , that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ .

He doth as in Parenthesis according to our Bibles, alledge reasons for his proposals. 1. There were not a few who did at present walk otherwise, being evil workers, v. 2. not to be imitated or followed, Mat. 7.22, 23.

(Of which as a faithfull Watchman he had again and again given them warning.

And now also by this present Writing out of great compassion to their immortal Souls, he did repeat it again with tears in his eyes)

2. They were such who did in the general (whatever they might under a fair shew pretend) oppose the Gospel of Christ, yea did in effect under the cloak of profession, that which was in a tendency to evert the true Christian Doctrine, Discipline, and Holiness. They did goe about to mingle the Law and the Gospel, to join Moses with Christ for Justification, as v. 4, &c. Gal. 2.21. and so undervalue redemption from the curse, Gal. 3.13 & 5.2, 4. in special these Epicureans (as should seem they were by the following character, rather than real Christians) might rightly be called Enemies, because they did seem by their sensuality to restore the Kingdom to those whom Christ had on his Cross openly spoil'd of it, Col. 2.15. that they might gratifie the Iews in urging the necessity of Circumcision, so undermining the vertue and merit of Christ's Passion, defaming the end of it, as the Iews did him in it, and in times of Tryal avoid persecution, Gal. 6.12, 14. they shewed themselves by interpretation really to be Enemies to Christ Crucified, 1 Cor. 1.23, 24. & 2.2.